Children’s hospice director arrested in Russia over criticism of army

Lida Moniava, the 38-year-old founder and director of a Moscow charity that helps dying children and young people, has been arrested in Russia over criticism linked to the war in Ukraine.

Her lawyer, Mikhail Biryukov, told AFP that the case concerns a Telegram post she published in 2023 to mark the first anniversary of the war. In the post, she referred to United Nations data showing that thousands of civilians had been killed, the lawyer said. Prosecutors accuse her of acting out of “political hatred.”

Russia’s Investigative Committee said Moniava faces charges of deliberately spreading false information about the use of Russia’s armed forces. “Moniava has been detained. During questioning, she did not admit guilt for the alleged crime,” the committee said. If convicted, she could receive up to 10 years in prison.

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Moniava has been detained. During questioning, she did not admit guilt for the alleged crime.

Amnesty International called the arrest “another brazen attempt by Russian authorities to silence any expression of opposition to the war.” Since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Russian police have detained thousands of people who publicly opposed the war. Prosecutors frequently accuse those who criticize the military of spreading false information.

Russia’s media regulator has also ordered news organizations covering the conflict to rely only on official Russian sources, limiting reporting to information provided by the Defense Ministry.

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another brazen attempt by Russian authorities to silence any expression of opposition to the war